A serious pipeline transporting fuel from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea, Nord Stream 2 is described by critics as a strategic mistake and a logo of Europe’s appeasement to Moscow.
The pipeline was blown up in 2022 after the beginning of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A Ukrainian skilled diver was later arrested over his suspected involvement within the sabotage.
“The issue with North Stream 2 will not be that it was blown up. The issue is that it was constructed,” Tusk wrote on X social media earlier this month.
Within the Sunday Occasions interview, Tusk stated {that a} Polish courtroom ruling blocking a German extradition request for one of many suspects within the Nord Stream sabotage signifies that Ukraine has a proper to assault Russia-linked targets anyplace in Europe.
The Polish chief additionally berated Europe’s complacency and its fixed underrating of Putin’s expansionist threats. “We’re speaking in regards to the finish of the period of illusions in Europe — too late, I’m afraid. Too late to be properly ready for all of the threats, however not too late to outlive,” Tusk stated.
Additionally within the interview, Tusk described Britain’s exit from the EU as “one of many largest errors in our [shared European] historical past”— 10 years after U.Ok. Prime Minister David Cameron’s ill-fated try to make use of the Brexit referendum as leverage to extract concessions from the EU.
“And right this moment I believe it’s way more seen,” stated Tusk, who was well-steeped within the first section of the Brexit negotiations as president of the European Council on the time.
“Particularly after Brexit, Poles realized that the target scenario within the U.Ok. will not be significantly better than in Poland. I additionally know that Brits are beginning to go away the U.Ok. and start a life right here in Poland,” he stated.
